deucers.com ~ miami ~ miami beach

Last year I showed this car on fire on the streets of Miami.

Now here’s another on Alligator Alley:

Strange that there never seem to be witnesses.

Donnamarie hosted an awesome memorial for Gilbert last night at Mynt Lounge:

DJ Shannon, DJSmeejay, and Jody McDonald keep us singing along and dancing as they spin some of Gilbert’s favorite tunes:

Trish Bruno evokes the spirit of Gilbert with an amazing reading:

Pictures of Gilbert flash on the walls. The event was  like a high school reunion, except that it was fun, and I ran into people I was delighted to see:

Bartender Christina keeps our end of the bar in good spirits and well-lubricated:

In a club full of dancing, friendly people, we send Gilbert off in the style to which he was accustomed.

Always a reason to celebrate when a new bar opens up. Finally stopped by the Midtown Sports Bar on the corner of 36th and NW 2nd, across the street from the Beer Depot:

The bar (and bathrooms) were clean and although it’s a new place, had a decent vibe:

People were shooting pool on each of the three tables:

The shape of the bar makes everyone have their backs to the door, which is annoying, for a paranoic, but there’s a closed circuit monitor of the front door, so you can see who is coming in. Or maybe it’s there so you can make sure your car’s not getting broken into in the lot.

The best part and the reason to go back is because we ordered a bottle of Guinness and a Ketel Tonic big straw no lime, and got both for $8.50. Both. Bargain.

Lucy and I have been entertaining and entertained by Fionn this weekend. I’ve mastered(ish) the art of walking two dogs a la fois. Here’s Fionn fresh and frisky after a bath:

and Lucy wondering where Greg is:

Finally, Fionn wishes Greg a speedy recovery as do we all:

Churchill’s sponsored an evening for Haitian Relief, music, and a blood drive Friday night:

Everyone does what he does best to help. Dancers dance and singers sing:

Awesome friends showed up. Impresario Tony, Sigi, and guitarist Birdman, who performed later:

Wonderful host and consummate bartender Nicky Bowe poses with Sigi:

The Haitian Sensation, DJ Haitian Hillbilly, (we just call him Big D), Alain Maximilien rouses the good crowd:

Hot Miami Nights always include random PDA:

There’s another concert relief effort for music lovers tonight at the Electric Pickle.

It was cold outside, so we headed inside and upstairs at the Van Dyke to hear the sultry smooth sounds of the incomparable Maryel Epps:

The cozy venue was the perfect spot on a Wednesday night. Ran into Bjorn:

Kim, Nel, and Gigi enjoyed the tunes:

Donnamarie and Ash Rana :

Maryel dedicated a beautiful rendition of Unforgettable to Gilbert Stafford and then she belted out some tunes by Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Tracy Chapman Etta James, Chaka Khan and even channeled Louis Armstrong:

And bartender Kristin kept the good cheer flowing:

Maryel plays upstairs at the VanDyke every first Wednesday.

Good times.

Sad to start off the new year with the loss of a good friend,  doorman extraordinaire, old soul, and a great story teller wrapped into one charming, gracious package.

I’ll be drinking a  goose martini with olives in your honor.

Gilbert Henry Stafford

20 January 1952- 1 January 2010

Click here to see a vintage United Negro College Fund Commercial with Gilbert in it.

R.I.P. Gil